What position do you hold at That's Mandarin? What has been your career path so far?
Anne: I have recently joined That’s Mandarin as their Online Marketing Manager. I started out my career as an Arts Coordinator and French Teacher at a government funded inclusion project in London’s Dalston area. After about 4 years I moved to New York and worked in a traditional PR firm, after 2 (fabulous) years in New York I moved back to the UK and worked freelance for a US based Web Analytics Company, doing online PR, SEO and Social Media for a number of their clients. Now, I am living in Beijing working at That’s Mandarin, spreading the Learn Chinese in China word!
Did YOU study abroad? If so, where did you go and what inspired you to go?!
Anne: Kind of, I gained a scholarship when I was 16 which allowed me to study at a French school in Rouen for 3 months. I am currently studying Chinese at That’s Mandarin, which is great. I was really nervous about starting the classes as I’ve been in Beijing for 5 months and had not been connecting with the language at all, however, to my surprise it’s been going really well and I’m looking forward to continuing.
What does the future hold for That's Mandarin - any new programs to share?
Anne: We recently launched a new Website which we’re very happy with and are looking forward to an action-packed summer with our Kids & Teens Summer Camp coming up! Bring on those warm days filled with learning, cultural activities and exploring Beijing and Shanghai! More excitement follows our recently adapted small group intensive programs, which have been adapted to include all the latest teaching methodologies thanks to our in-house education researchers. Our fully integrated online system “Mandarin Café” ensures that our students spend their lesson time speaking instead of manically taking notes! All new vocabulary is added by our teachers, ready for our students to review at their convenience.
What about the future of the industry? How do you think study abroad and international education will change over the next 10 years?
Anne: The future of language learning looks bright! Globalization and travel have made the need for multiple language knowledge a necessity, with Chinese quickly rising towards the top of the want-to-know language stakes. With the way things look now, I can only see this industry growing. The current job climate in the West is already encouraging graduates and even learnt professionals to try out a new view point and learn a language, after all that’s exactly what I did!